Political observers left speechless after New Brunswick MLA resigns after 3 weeks in office

There’s not a lot that shocks political pundits these days — the veteran ones, especially, have seen it all.

Well, everyone seems shocked by this.

On Tuesday, Gary Keating, a newly elected Liberal MLA in New Brunswick resigned just three weeks after the election that saw his party win a majority government.

"It is with sincere regret that I inform the citizens of Saint John East that I will be unable to assume the responsibility of being their MLA," the former high school principal and avid runner wrote.

"After careful personal reflection and the unconditional love and support from my family I have decided, at this particular point in my life, that my family must come first and be my priority. Over the course of the election, and during the past few weeks, it has become very apparent that the long hours and travel associated with the job would have a negative impact on my health and, especially, my family. Again, following deep reflection, I came to the conclusion that this role is not for me. For the best interest of all, I have to follow my heart and this is the right decision. In the end you have to be happy."

Sure, it’s good to be happy but most political watchers reacted with a collective WTF?

Former Tory MLA Wes McLean called the story “extremely bizarre.”

"He hasn’t even being sworn in yet. This period would be much less stressful than an intense, five-week campaign," McLean told Yahoo Canada News in an email exchange.

“As for the time commitment, yes, it takes a lot of time, but he lives in Saint John, roughly one hour from Fredericton, and could be home most every night.”

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation who, you would think would have a lot to say about an MLA forcing an expensive by-election also thought the word bizarre was appropriate.

"Not really sure what to say," Kevin Lacey, the CTF’s Atlantic director told Yahoo.

"Speechless might be best way to describe it."

[ Related: With a win in the New Brunswick election, the Liberal brand continues to soar ]

What makes this story even more weird is that Keating — who won his seat by eight votes — isn’t a political neophyte. According to the National Post, he was a riding association president and actually ran — but lost — in the 2010 provincial election.

And, as eloquently put by Sun News' David Akin — if he’s a principal at a high school, “he’s already working long hours.”

There may be more to this story than we know like perhaps a health issue — even though none is mentioned in his statement. Keating hasn’t spoken to media and the Liberal Party has yet to comment.

But it’s certainly ‘bizarre.’

The Progressive Conservatives are calling for a quick byelection and you have wonder if voters will want to punish the Liberals for Keating’s sudden resignation.

And, if you wondering how much a byelection will cost, CBC News Brunswick notes that the last byelection held in New Brunswick cost taxpayers about $120,000.

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